A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 17. Of receiving Angels unawares.

THe reason which our Apostle produceth to enforce the duty of hospitality, is taken from the benefit that followed thereupon. The benefit is thus expres∣sed, thereby some have entertained Angels unawares. That this is here alleadged as a reason is evident by this causall particle a 1.1 FOR. The reason is a forcible reason; for it sheweth that they who performed this duty lost nothing thereby, but were much honoured, and received a great blessing. To have Angels enter into ones house is an honour; and to bring such gladsom messages as they did was a blessing.

In setting down this recompence, the Apostle hath an especiall respect unto two instances: one of Abraham, Gen. 18. 2. the other of Lot, Gen. 19. 1.

Angels came to both these in the appearance of men, whom they knew not; so as their hospitality was on no by-respect, but only for the duties sake. They saw such as they supposed to be men going on as in a journey, and thereupon entertain∣ed them.

The b 1.2 Greek word translated unawares, is oft attributed to such as know not those who do such and such a thing. It was at first concealed from Abraham and from L•…•…t, that they who came to them were Angels. Their act in entertaining such guests was like a fisher-mans casting a net into the water for fish: and instead of fish draweth up Pearls.

Obj. 1. It is said that Abraham bowed himself toward the ground before them, Gen. 18. 2. this was an act of Divine worship: for so is Divine worship set out. There∣upon it is inferred that he knew them to be more then men. For Divine worship is not to be yielded to meer men, Act. 10. 25, 26.

Ans. Civil obeisance is also set forth by that phrase, for Abraham bowed himself 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the people of the land of Heth, Gen. 23. 7. But that he did in testimony only of civil reverence.

Obj. 2. Abraham styleth one of them Lord, v. 3.

Ans. It is probable that one of them appeared in a more eminent habit and in greater Majesty then the other; so as he might take him for the chief: and there∣upon in speciall direct his speech to him: But he doth also shew like courtesie to them all, v. 4, 5. The title Lord is in the Hebrew a title given to men frequently, as v. 12. it is applied to Abraham himself by his wife Sarah.

Obj. 3. The title Iehovah is given to one of them, v. 13.

Ans. One of them might be and indeed was the Sonne of God, true Iehovah, the second person in sacred Trinity. But Abraham at first knew not so much: The other two were true Angels, who afterward went to Lot; for there came but two

to him, Gen. 19. 1. It is said that the men turned their fac•…•…s from thence and went to∣ward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. Those two men were two of those that came to Abraham, Gen. 18. 2. and afterward went to Sodom, Gen. 19. 1. The third of those that came to Abraham was the Lord the Sonne of God before whom Abraham stood. At first Abraham knew them to be no •…•…∣ther then men; nor yet Lot: yet afterward both of them knew them to be Angels.

Obj. 4. This entertaining of these Angels was extraordinary. We reade not the like at any other time. What motive then can that be to us that can expect no such thing?

Ans.

• 1. The Apostle intends not that all should expect the same, for he saith not,* 1.3 all entertained; but some.
• 2. God can do the like again, if he please: There is no restraint to the* 1.4 Lord.
• 3. The argument follows from the greater to the lesse. If God sent such extraordinary guests, surely he can send such ordinary guests as will be worth entertaining. Such an argument an Apostle useth to stirre us up to pray in faith, for Eliah prayed that there may be no rain; and again that there might be rain; and he was heard in both: Therefore we may believe that God will hear us in ordinary matters.

This instance giveth evidence of Gods high account of this duty of entertaining strangers: in that once and again he sent Angels to such as were ready to perform the duty. From therefore we may inferre, that God well liketh and approveth this duty: and that he will some way or other recompence the same. This is the main scope of the Apostle.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  The Remists out of Ioh. Di∣acams tell us, that Christ and Angels came to S^t Gregories ta∣ble of hospita∣lity in Pil∣grims weeds. Beleeve it who will.